WORKING AREA

Dang District

FEDO is working in Dang district to pressurize the government and non-government organizations to bring Dalit women in development mainstreaming. Although different government and non-government organizations have carried out development program, Dalit women have very little opportunity to participate in those program activities. FEDO is negotiating and dialoging with various stakeholders to raise Dalit women issue in district.

Most of the girls were compelled to drop out from the school, because they are economically poor and culturally tuned to early marriage. Some of the Dalit girls are restricted and not allowed to go school by their guardians. When FEDO realized their problem, then it encouraged young girls to continue their study in formal school. This year, 15 Dalit girls continuously are receiving scholarship assistance to continue their study.

Udaypur District

FEDO has been providing school level scholarship to 4 school going Dalit girls. This helps to increase the retention of school education. This year two SLC passed Dalit girls are studying ANM in Rajbiraj Technical Institute with scholarship provided by FEDO. Dalit women group for saving and credit program formed and strengthen in Udaypur district too.

Dhankuta District

Dalit women saving and credit groups are strengthening for income generation activities. Four Dalit girls in lower secondary school level are studying with the scholarship support of FEDO. Similarly, two SLC passed Dalit girls are receiving scholarship for CMA and ANM course in Dhankuta technical school. Dhankuta district chapter of FEDO is trying to make good linkages with other GOs and NGOs and enhance access to resources and mutual support function for taking Dalit women rights and opportunity.

Regular interaction with community has been started. Dalit women are encouraged to increase Dalit access in community forest management. This year 3 days workshop was organized on how to increase access of Dalit community in forest user groups and committee with the assistance of Livelihood Forestry Project (LFP), Dhankuta. The toilet has been constructed in 29 Dalit households of Dhankuta Municipality – 7, Todke with the initiation of FEDO. Peace Corps supported this toilet program.

Kailali District

Kailali district committee of FEDO has been established dated on 056/02/18. FEDO released press speech against inhuman act upon Muna Devi Damai. Ms. Muna Devi Damai was beaten until seriously injured and human faeces with chilli powder was placed in her mouth by a higher caste people, causing mental illness. Another press speech was also released to punish police who did misbehavior/atrocities to Dalit women. Five polices were forcefully tried to sexual exploit upon wife of Kitthe Damai in Malakheti VDC – 7. Dalit women were united against such criminal act of police in the leading role of FEDO, Kailali.

FEDO participated in other activities conducted by Dalit Networks for providing her a justice in Kailali. FEDO actively participated to enter Dalits into the temple of Shreepur VDC. It has shown street drama against caste discrimination in the periphery of Dhangadi and demonstrated rally with slogan and play card for Dalit women’s rights. The district president Ms. Punam Sijapati has making good relationship with Dalit organizations and others in Kailali district.

Other Districts

FEDO district committees have been established in Makawanpur, Salyan and Surkhet. The main objective of establishing district chapters is to organize and empower Dalit women for getting their rights in every aspect. Dalit women are showing great enthusiasm to unite them for own rights, upliftment and development. FEDO from central level is collecting support from government and non-government to make Dalit women capable in the districts in order to improve their current situation.

Other Activities
Beside of above stated activities, FEDO central office has been involved in the following activities.

Publication: Posters have been published focussing on caste and gender discrimination. Poster is a simple visual medium that can be used anywhere to convey a message. Pictures drawn in the posters are taken from the recent happenings occurred in society to draw the attention of the people for creating awareness on the issue. FEDO publish bulletin also on four-month basis to reflect the Dalit women situation and its current activities.

Networking and Coordination: Joint effort gives successful result to meet targeted goal. FEDO is continuing its networking with national and international organizations. It is also putting pressure on government to achieve its vision, mission, goal and objectives through consultation, linkages and interaction. FEDO began regular contacts with different organizations and civil society from central to grassroots. It is playing vital role to establish good relation among the concerned stakeholders.

Capacity Building Support to other organization: FEDO had and has been providing its support to build capacity and Dalit NGOs networking for advocacy and policy influence. Especially, FEDO president is working in the position of member secretary of National Dalit Commission formed by His Majesty Government of Nepal. This is our great achievement of FEDO to support government and non-government organizations for delivering Dalit upliftment program. It will continuously be supported to other Dalit NGOs to build capacity and mobilize NGOs for their networking.

Tenth Anniversary Day with national Dalit women gathering: FEDO celebrated 10th anniversary day with huge Dalit women gathering in the occasion on July 28 – 29, 2003. First day the inauguration program was held at the Staff College, Jaulakhel of Lalitpur. Central committee member of FEDO, Ms. Anita Pariyar, conducted it. FEDO national president Ms. Durga Sob chaired the session. The honorable guests seated on the dais were: President of Rajsabha Standing Committee, Mr. Purshu Narayan Chaudhary, President of National Women Commission, Ms. Durga Pokhrel, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Nepal, Ms. Bharati Silwal Giri, Co-secretary of Local Development Ministry, Mr. Hari Prasad Rimal, President of National Dalit Commission, Mr. Padam Singh Bishwakarma President of DNF, Mr. D.B. Sagar Bishwakarma, President of NGO Federation Nepal, Dr. Arjun Karki, MP (Upper House) Mr. Rishi Babu Pariyar, Vice President of National Planning Commission, Dr. Shankar Sharma, Program Coordinator of Danida/HUGOU, Mr. Knud Oleander. Honorable President of RajParisad Standing Committee, Mr. Parshu Narayan Chaudhary was the chief guest on this occasion.

The General Secretary of FEDO, Ms. Ambika Gajmer welcomed the chief guest, guest and all the participants. She thanked every one for their invaluable support and presence. She said that this is the place to mark the path for future of whole Dalit women in Nepal and FEDO will be able to lead the Dalit women into right track. The chief guest Mr. Parshu Narayan Chaudhary then inaugurated the program by lighting the oil lamp. Chief guest launched a memorable book ‘Dalit Mahila Sang Ek Dasak’ published by FEDO. Publication was distributed among the participants during this occasion. There were participated Dalit women from 44 districts of Nepal. The main theme of the Dalit women gathering at national level was to bring Dalit women in the mainstreaming of good governance and development. Four working paper prepared by Central Members of FEDO were presented after inauguration session of first day and during the morning session of second day. On the overall FEDO found a way for future from this occasion and gathering. At the end of the closed session, the national president Ms. Durga Sob delivered her vote of thanks to all the participants of the program. She said that we have received additional energy and encouragement from this occasion. We will reach one day in our destination if we move our struggle and movement very strongly in the favor of Dalit women.

Human Resource Development: FEDO has good team spirit, committed executive board members and staffs. Organization emphasizes to staff/board members’ development in the sphere of organizational development and program strengthening. This effort certainly expects that to build the capacity of organization and Dalit communities in order that they can bring about improvement in their current condition. In this visionary and thoughtful aspect, our board/staffs is moving to get opportunities in training, conference and workshops. During the period of this year, following staffs and members participated in various national and international trainings, workshops/seminars and events.